Fu's subcutaneous needling in treatment of acute Bell's palsy observed by laser speckle contrast imaging: A case report

Abstract

One case of acute Bell's palsy was reported and treated with Fu's subcutaneous needling(FSN). Present symptoms: facial muscle stiffness on the right side, ptosis of labial angle, failure to frown the right eyebrow, the eyeball exposed about 2 mm when gently closing the eyes, air leaking when bulging the cheeks, drooling when brushing the teeth and gargling, and food retained in the cheek when eating. Western medicine diagnosis: peripheral facial palsy. Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis: facial paralysis. The subcutaneous swaying movement and reperfusion action of FSN were adopted on the affected muscles and achieved the remarkably effects on incomplete closure of eyes and drooping of the mouth. The patient was recovered quickly. Before and after treatment, the laser speckle contrast imaging was used to observe the improvement of blood flow on the face, which provides the idea for the research and clinical practice of Fu's subcutaneous needling in treatment of Bell's palsy.